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Vaccine Distribution Ramps Up; Interview With Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton; McConnell Finally Acknowledges Biden's Win; Health Care Workers Get Vaccinated At 425 Sites Nationwide; When And Where Will The Average American Get The Vaccine? Aired 6-7p ET

Aired December 15, 2020 - 18:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[18:00:00]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM.

We're following breaking news, president-elect Joe Biden throwing his weight behind an all-out Democratic effort to win two Georgia run-off races and take control of the us Senate, this as Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell finally acknowledges Biden's victory, after weeks of dodging the question

One White House adviser responded to McConnell, saying -- and I'm quoting now -- "You can't always get what you want," a sign that President Trump's desperate efforts to try to overturn the election are coming to a close, whether he likes it or not.

There's breaking news also unfolding right now in the coronavirus pandemic. More than 400 vaccination centers across the United States right now are in full swing, as front-line health care workers receive Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

And more relief could be on the way very, very soon. The FDA is expected to authorize an additional vaccine for Moderna within the next few days.

But the virus is now taking a brutal toll on Americans as we speak. More than 302,000 people here in the United States have died, with more than 16.6 million confirmed cases. Hospitalizations are at record levels as well.

Let's begin our coverage this hour with CNN's Jeff Zeleny. He's following the Biden transition for us, joining us from Atlanta, Georgia.

Jeff, the president-elect, he's back on the campaign trail with his own victory affirmed by the Electoral College now. He's fighting for the Senate. Give us the latest development.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Well, president- elect Joe Bama -- Joe Biden, rather, did finish speaking here just a short time ago.

And you may wonder why he's in Georgia. That's because these two key run-off races are in overtime. He knows that he is heading to the White House, of course, but it depends which party controls the Senate.

So, he came here to Georgia to rally Democrats, reminding them of what Republicans have done, trying to suggest that they were trying to overturn the will of the people here, all of this happening in a flurry of activity, as he's suddenly receiving congratulations and phone calls from Republican Senate leaders.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ZELENY (voice-over): President-elect Joe Biden is back on the campaign trail a day after the Electoral College affirmed his victory.

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT-ELECT: Thank you for standing strong to make sure your voices were heard, your votes were counted and counted and counted again. I'm starting to feel like I won Georgia three times.

ZELENY: He's headed to the White House in just 36 days. But, first, he's in Georgia, trying to help Democrats win control of the U.S. Senate and remind voters many Republicans work to undermine the election.

BIDEN: The lives of everyone Georgian still depend on what you do. Yes, you still need to vote as if your life depends on it, because it does.

ZELENY: It all comes down to the states to run-off races on January 5, the outcome of which will shape the ambitions of Biden's agenda and help determine the early success of his presidency.

With early voting already under way across the state, Biden arrived in Atlanta today for a drive-in rally with Democratic candidates Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.

JON OSSOFF (D), GEORGIA SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: It's Georgia voters who have the power to write the next chapter in American history.

RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D), GEORGIA SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: I'm ready. I'm ready to be one of your next two United States senators from the great state of Georgia.

ZELENY: They are trying to defeat Republican Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, who fell short of the 50 percent mark in November, which, under Georgia law, sent the contests into overtime.

The outcome of the Georgia races will answer one of the biggest remaining questions in Washington, whether Mitch McConnell will remain the Senate majority leader.

After six weeks of silence, McConnell finally acknowledged Biden's victory today. And the two men spoke in a conversation initiated by the president-elect. BIDEN: I called him to thank him for the congratulations, told him, while we disagree on a lot of things, there's things we can work together on. We have always been straight with one another. And we agreed we would get together sooner than later.

ZELENY: Beyond Georgia, Biden is vowing to unite the country, as it faces monumental challenges, from the pandemic and recession.

BIDEN: It really is time to leave the anger and bitter politics of division behind us. It's time for us to come together as a country and start delivering on what we have to get done.

[18:05:00]

ZELENY: Tonight, as the historic COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across the country, Biden said he will get his first shot soon.

BIDEN: Dr. Fauci recommends I get the vaccine sooner than later. I wanted us to make sure we do it by the numbers when we do it.

But, when I do it, you will have notice and we will do it publicly.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ZELENY: And we are learning tonight of new Cabinet nominations that president-elect Biden intends to make later this week. We are learning that former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm will be nominated as the energy secretary to join the Biden Cabinet, as well as Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

He will be nominated as transportation secretary. Of course, Mayor Buttigieg was a critical rival to Joe Biden's in the primary campaign, beating him in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire and then providing a key endorsement that led to Biden winning the primary.

So, Wolf, we're expecting both of those announcements and others to be made later this week. The goal for the Biden team is to wrap up the Cabinet before Christmas -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, this train is moving very, very quickly.

Jeff Zeleny, thank you very much.

Let's turn to our chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, right now.

Jim, how's the White House reacting, first of all, to Mitch McConnell's decision finally, finally, to recognize that Joe Biden is, in fact, the president-elect of the United States?

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, no such recognition over here, Wolf.

White House officials continue to spread disinformation about the election, despite the fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has now recognized Joe Biden as the president-elect. Asked about McConnell, a White House adviser quoted one of the president's favorite songs from the Rolling Stones. "You can't always get what you want," the adviser said, referring to the song that was used to signal the end of Trump rallies. This adviser went on say, it's time to cue up Mick Jagger, meaning Trump's election challenges have now run their course.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): Our country has officially a president- elect.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Even as more top Republicans acknowledge that Joe Biden will be the next president after the Electoral College finalized that result, White House officials are refusing to live in the real world.

KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president is still involved in ongoing litigation related to the election. Yesterday's vote was one step in the constitutional process. So, I will leave that to him and refer you to the campaign for more on that litigation.

ACOSTA: When asked whether the president would approve of GOP senators holding hearings for Biden Cabinet nominees, White House Secretary Kayleigh McEnany made a mind-boggling suggestion, that there could be a continuation of power for Mr. Trump.

MCENANY: That's a hypothetical. And he won't get ahead of that activity actually happening. But he has taken all statutory requirements necessary to either ensure a smooth transition or a continuation of power.

ACOSTA: But hold on. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is referring to Biden as the next president.

MCCONNELL: The Electoral College has spoken. So, today, I want to congratulate president-elect Joe Biden.

MCENANY: That would be a question more for the White House.

ACOSTA: McEnany declined to comment, saying that's a question for the campaign, yes, the same campaign she's represented as a self-described adviser.

MCENANY: I haven't gotten the president's reaction to that yet. But the president, again, is pursuing ongoing litigation. Would refer you to the campaign for further.

ACOSTA: But other Republicans have had enough.

Senator Lamar Alexander, who told CNN's Manu Raju the election is over:

SEN. LAMAR ALEXANDER (R-TN): It's perfectly fine to challenge the result of an election. That's been done. But when it's over -- and it's now over -- we ought to respect the result. ACOSTA: To Senator Mitt Romney, who said his fellow Republicans in Congress need to stop echoing Mr. Trump's bogus claims.

SEN. MITT ROMNEY (R-UT): I think you will see more and more people indicate that Biden, Joe Biden, is the president-elect. I think a different question and important question is how many Republicans will say that what the president is saying is simply wrong and dangerous.

ACOSTA: Even Russian leader Vladimir Putin has congratulated Biden, but not the White House.

MCENANY: No comment on that. I will leave it to the president to react to that.

QUESTION: Has he spoken to President Trump?

MCENANY: Not that I'm aware of, no.

ACOSTA: Democrats argue these Biden deniers are damaging American democracy.

SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D-IL): The fact that it took six weeks for my colleagues to recognize reality and stop undermining our democratic process is sad and disappointing.

ACOSTA: The president is showing no signs of backing down, retweeting a conservative activist tweet stating that Georgia's Republican governor and secretary of state -- quote -- "will soon be going to jail."

As Mr. Trump steers clear of the cameras, Vice President Mike Pence is out touting the new coronavirus vaccine, something most public health experts wish the president would do as well.

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: These vaccines that have proven out to be not just safe, but, in both cases, some 95 percent effective, which is truly extraordinary.

ACOSTA: At the briefing, McEnany accused the media of spreading disinformation, even though she and Mr. Trump have both made baseless claims about the election.

(on camera): Isn't it hypocritical for you to accuse others of disinformation, when you spread it every day?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA: And the press secretary declined to say exactly when President Trump will be administered the coronavirus vaccine, claiming he is still enjoying the benefits of the care he received during his bout with COVID-19.

[18:10:06]

Other former presidents, we should note, Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, have all said publicly they will take the vaccine as soon as it's available to them. They will do it on camera to set an example for the rest of the country.

And Vice President Mike Pence says he will be doing the same in the coming days, Wolf. We will be able to see that, presumably, potentially, by the end of this week.

BLITZER: Yes, very important to set an example and be a good example as a result. Thanks very much, Jim Acosta, at the White House.

Let's bring in CNN political correspondent Abby Phillip and our chief political analyst, Gloria Borger.

Gloria, if I had asked you, what, a month or so ago who would acknowledge president-elect Biden's victory first, would it be the Republican congressional leadership or the Russian President Vladimir Putin, I doubt you would have said Putin. And yet that's exactly what has now happened.

The Republican House leaders are still totally silent. They're not recognizing reality.

GLORIA BORGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, let's just say they're -- they may never recognize reality, Wolf.

Joe Biden is going to be sworn in on January 20 when he puts his hand on the Bible. They may call him president, but they will always be in the this election was rigged caucus, those 126 House Republicans who signed on to that absurd lawsuit in the Supreme Court.

And I think they're just not going to change their minds. They understand -- and it's craven -- they understand that Donald Trump won 74 million votes, which is nothing to sneeze at. They need his support. They are afraid of his ire. They're afraid of his tweets. And they want his voters.

And so they are not going to change. There is a large difference, however, between the House and the Senate. And Manu Raju reported today that Mitch McConnell on a phone call with Republicans said to them, you know what, don't do what the guys in the House are doing. Don't sign on to any of these shenanigans questioning the vote, because then we're going to have to take a vote in the Senate.

And it might look like you are opposing Donald Trump if you're going to approve what the electors did. And so he doesn't want to get anything confused. And so even he is telling senators, calm down.

But it's the House that's always going to be the House in this instance, Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, the Electoral College made it official yesterday, 306 electoral votes for Biden, 232 for Trump.

BORGER: Yes, I saw.

BLITZER: You need 270. Biden is the winner. Trump is the loser. It's an official outcome from the U.S. Electoral College. Abby, it's almost unbelievable that, six weeks after the election, the

two most senior Republicans in the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, still refuse to acknowledge that Biden is the president-elect of the United States.

Is this about principle, political survival? Why are they refusing to recognize what has happened?

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, Gloria alluded to this just a moment ago.

I mean, so much of this is about political survival. When you look at these districts that these members represent, their bases, when they go home to their districts, these are some of the places where the president's support is the most fervent. They cannot afford to lose the president's base.

And so I think, for much of the House of Representatives, you're going to see them holding on to this ridiculous idea that they can overturn the results of an election that's already been decided, because that's what their voters want them to do, because that's what the president wants them to do.

And the House might very well be the last frontier of this effort. We will probably see on January 6 an ill-fated effort to try to roll all of this back. It's not going to go anywhere, but it's about showing the base they're going to keep fighting and that they're going to keep working for the president.

And President Trump is also building a war chest, by the way, Wolf, that is -- that could very well be used to threaten some of these members in their upcoming races. So, the stakes are pretty high for them.

BLITZER: Yes, he's already raised more than $200 million. He's probably going to raise another $100 million before he leaves office on January 20.

All right, guys, stand by. We're going to have more.

We're also learning new information right now about a suspected Russian cyberattack against the United States government. I will speak with President Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton. There, you see him.

We will discuss that and more when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:18:52]

BLITZER: The White House says it's taking a hard look at a suspected Russia-linked cyberattack that breached the computer systems of multiple federal agencies.

The list includes the departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture and Commerce. Other Cabinet departments may have been targeted as well.

Let's discuss with President Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton. He is the author of the new book "The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir."

Ambassador, thanks so much for joining us.

How serious is this attack? And what sort of response does it merit?

JOHN BOLTON, FORMER U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Well, I don't think we know the full dimensions of it. And perhaps the public never will know the full dimensions. There may be good reasons to conceal that.

But, from what's been reported, it was very broad, very sophisticated, and very complex, and apparently very successful. So, this represents a major breach of cybersecurity defenses in a large number of agencies, many at the core of the national security.

So, I think this calls for -- it's going to be a challenge for the incoming Biden administration to deal with.

[18:20:03]

But I think this goes to the core point that, unless we're prepared to wage our own more offensive cyber-campaigns, we're never going to have structures of deterrence that back the Russians, the Chinese and others off from doing this to begin with.

BLITZER: I don't expect Vladimir Putin, especially when he has a news conference on Thursday, to take credit for this cyberattack.

But, today, the Russian president did congratulate president-elect Joe Biden. What does it say to you, Ambassador, that Putin accepted the election results here in the United States before the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, did?

BOLTON: Well, I guess -- I wish we had some more rough riders in Congress than we do, but better late than never still works.

And it is a reflection that, inexorably, the political dynamic is changing for Trump. He is diminishing right in front of us. His administration is like a cube of sugar in a hot cup of tea. It's disappearing before our eyes. And on the 20th of January, he will be gone. He won't disappear from political life.

But that is the reality that will change, I think, a lot of Republican attitudes in Congress.

BLITZER: Yes, it looks like -- I mean, it's clearly a done deal now that the U.S. Electoral College has officially gone ahead and decided that Biden has won this election. He's got more electors than Trump.

McConnell is urging senators not to join House members, Republicans in the House, who plan to challenge the results when Congress convenes in a joint session on January 6 to tally the electoral votes which have now been submitted.

Is the Republican Party's commitment to democracy in question right now if the Republican House leadership decides to do that?

BOLTON: Not at all.

I really think these comments people are making about threats to democracy are overwrought. As I said to you the other day, I don't think Donald Trump is smart enough to be a successful authoritarian.

I just think it's embarrassing for Republicans who keep this up. But let's also remember that, in 2017, Democratic House members raised the challenge to Trump's election. In 2005, Democratic House members raised the challenge to George W. Bush's election, and I think they did in 2001 as well.

So, there are plenty of people in the House of Representatives capable of embarrassing themselves on both sides of the aisle.

BLITZER: Let's hope they don't.

The president may be clinging to power right now in his final, what, 36 days in office, but, as CNN's count -- by CNN's count, I should say, he hasn't had -- get this -- a single intelligence briefing listed on his schedule since October 2.

You were in the Oval Office with him. You were the national security adviser to the president. Does he want these intelligence briefings? Does he even want to do his job anymore?

BOLTON: No, I -- well, it's a good question whether he ever wanted to do his job.

But the fact he's not scheduling the briefings doesn't materially change the level of information he gets, since he didn't pay much attention to the briefings to begin with. And I don't think he's ever fully understood how to accept the information or to process it.

It's just not relevant to his view of his decision-making. It's how he feels in his gut on any given day, and mere information doesn't really affect it that much.

BLITZER: Yes, that's so, so disturbing.

Ambassador Bolton, as usual, thanks so much for joining us.

BOLTON: Glad to be with you.

BLITZER: Just ahead: Another coronavirus vaccine could be authorized by the end of this week. We're going to have details on that, as well as the hundreds of vaccinations centers already giving shots of the Pfizer vaccine here in the United States.

And, later, we will speak to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. We will discuss what's happening in New York. Is it headed for another complete COVID shutdown? (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:28:37]

BLITZER: Breaking news about coronavirus.

Hospitalizations here in the United States have reached another all- time high, as the death toll surges past 302,000.

CNN's Alexandra Field is on the story for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The first vaccine from Pfizer is going into arms across America. Now a second vaccine is nearly here.

Moderna's vaccine, proven 94 percent effective, is likely to receive its emergency use authorization later this week. That would trigger the shipment of six million initial doses from the company. That's double the number Pfizer sent out in its first batch, which has already arrived in all 50 states; 425 more sites are receiving shipments today.

In New York City, front-line workers are lining up to get theirs, Chicago's first doses administered at a hospital in one of the city's hardest-hit communities. California received more than 33,000 doses of the vaccine on Monday, nearly the same number of new hospital cases in the state on the same day.

DR. MONCEF SLAOUI, CHIEF ADVISER, OPERATION WARP SPEED: I think the biggest concern is accidental loss of temperature control in a cold chain-based -- particularly with the Pfizer vaccine. That's really the biggest concern, I think the last-mile delivery inoculation of the vaccines into subjects.

FIELD: Out of the gate, FedEx and UPS are reporting no problems with the massive undertaking of moving vaccine across the country.

[18:30:05]

A fast moving (INAUDIBLE) could affect shipments later this week.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: 60 million people right now are under some type of watch or warning.

FIELD: Along with the challenge of getting vaccines to Americans, there's the challenge of getting Americans to take it. A Kaiser study shows 71 percent of people are likely to take it. The same study shows black Americans, Republicans and people from rural areas are more reluctant.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence along with President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris should all get the vaccines as soon as possible. DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: For security reasons, I really feel strongly that we should get them vaccinated as soon as we possibly can.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FIELD (on camera): And, Wolf, another promising development to report tonight, the FDA authorizing use of a first of its kind COVID test. This is a test that you can take at home. You can also read the results at home. The kit will run you about $30, could be another useful tool as so many across the country wait for their turn to take the vaccine.

BLITZER: Yes, I'm looking forward to that. Alexandra, thank you very, very much.

Let's get some analysis from Dr. Paul Offit, he's a member of the FDA Vaccines Advisory Committee. Thanks Dr. Offit, thank you so much for joining us.

You have seen the data now that was just released on the Moderna vaccine. Once again, you are on that advisory committee. I understand you're going to meet on Thursday to make a recommendation to the FDA on emergency uses authorization. How promising is this vaccine?

DR. PAUL OFFIT, MEMBER, FDA VACCINES ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Very promising, I think, for a number of reasons. It looks to be roughly 95 percent effective at preventing disease including a 100 percent effective at severe disease, about 95 percent effective in preventing disease in people who are over 65 across different ethnic backgrounds, racial backgrounds. It looks to be virtually identical in many ways to the Pfizer vaccine.

And because the Pfizer vaccine was a novel product, this messenger RNA vaccine, which we have never used before, you know, it's just heartening to see that different companies using a somewhat different messenger RNA, you know, with a different kind of lipid formulation, different dosing (ph) schedule, different in terms of length of time between the first dose and second dose, come up with virtually identical results really makes you feel much more comfortable about this technology.

BLITZER: Do we have any idea which one is better, the Moderna or the Pfizer? Because they are both very similar, right?

OFFIT: Yes, they look to be, frankly, roughly, indistinguishable.

BLITZER: Well, one of them, you have to be 16 to get it, that's the Pfizer, you got to be 18 to get the Moderna, right? And one you wait for three weeks to get the second dose, the other one you wait four waits. And those are just minor changes?

OFFIT: Right. And one is given at a dose at 30 micrograms, the other at 100 micrograms. One of them has much more difficulty sort of storage, shipping and handling, Pfizer, as compared to Moderna, which is, you know, can just be ship in a storage freezer temperatures. So, there's a lot of differences.

But I think, functionally, in terms of whether you're going to be protected and whether the vaccines appear to be safe, which are the key things, I think they do appear to be virtually identical.

BLITZER: And the most important, both of them are about 95 percent effective, which is so, so significant.

Does this data give you any hint as to whether the vaccine could help prevent what's called asymptomatic infection?

OFFIT: No, and that is an important question. In other words, these two studies have shown that these vaccines can prevent disease, mild, to moderate, to severe disease. But the other question is does it prevent infection where you don't have symptom but you still can be contagious. Neither of those studies address that. But there are studies that are planned for early next year, I think, primarily on college campuses to answer that question because we need to answer that question.

BLITZER: Yes.

OFFIT: Because if you get the vaccine, you could still could, you know get the virus and then still be contagious. Then even after the vaccine, you would still need to wear a mask and I think people need to know that.

BLITZER: Even if you get the vaccine, you got to wear a mask and still engage in social distancing, right?

OFFIT: Exactly right, Wolf, yes.

BLITZER: The vice president, Mike Pence, we're told could get his vaccination by this Friday and possibly do it on camera. Would you encourage President Trump, President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris to do the same thing to set an example for the American public?

OFFIT: Yes, I think that would be a great idea, although, technically, President Trump received the Regeneron, which is a monoclonal antibody preparation. I think the CDC recommendation would be that someone like him wait about 90 days before they get the vaccine. But in any case, that would put him around the time of President-elect Biden's inauguration.

BLITZER: We'll see what happens in that front, as far as the president getting a vaccine.

While there's light at end of the tunnel, Dr. Offit, hospitalization now are at a record high here in the United States. More than 110,000 Americans are hospitalized with this virus. Is it time, do you believe, for state and local leaders to consider more COVID restrictions even in the face of all the optimism we have for these vaccines?

OFFIT: Yes, it's going to take a while, months and months, really to be able to vaccinate a critical number of people so that we can be comfortable that we stop the spread, I mean, in many months.

[18:35:06]

And so do what we can do now. We're not helpless. We can wear a mask. We can social distance, which will go a long way to trying and prevent the spread of this virus. And, hopefully, you know, we will now have federal leadership that all make that clear, because that hasn't been true recently in the past.

BLITZER: Yes, we'll see what happens on that front as well. Dr. Offit, thank you so much for joining us. Thanks for everything you're doing. You and your colleagues are saving American lives. There's no doubt about that. I appreciate it very much.

OFFIT: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Just ahead, is New York City headed for another coronavirus shutdown? I'll speak live with the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio. We'll discuss new restrictions that might be on the way to New York.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:40:00]

BLITZER: As the coronavirus vaccine rolls out across the country, New York City has begun vaccinating frontline health care workers with more than 40,000 doses expected to be available today. Let's discuss with the mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio. Mayor de Blasio, thank you so much for joining us.

I understand you were there for some of the very first vaccinations in New York City. About how many vaccines have already been administered? What sort of pace do you expect for vaccinations going forward?

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY, NY: Yes, Wolf, I was there at NYU Medical Center. It is an amazing moment, I mean, literally watching history unfold before your eyes as this vaccine goes from something that we just dreamed about to something that is really happening. And, you know, when you see a needle go in someone's arm, it's not just a medical moment. In this case, it's a shot of hope. It's a reminder that we're finally going to get liberated from this disease. So, it's very powerful.

Right now, we've had yesterday, you know, the few hospitals got it, something like almost 100 health care workers got it yesterday. But today and beyond, you're going to see that number grow and grow constantly and thousands and thousands in the days ahead.

BLITZER: Yes.

DE BLASIO: And we really have a huge distribution network ready to go as we get the vaccine in. BLITZER: The willingness to get the vaccine is on the rise. But according to a new poll, 27 percent of Americans still say, hard to believe, but they still say they wouldn't get a vaccine. When do you, Mayor, expect to get vaccinated and will you get that vaccine on camera to set an example and encourage others to could so?

DE BLASIO: Well, Wolf, absolutely, I'm going to get the vaccine. I will absolutely do it on camera because I want to show people it's safe, it's something they can believe in. The important thing I think for all leaders is to respect what our health care experts say.

So, my health commissioner is going to tell me when. He's going to tell me when I actually am in the priority category to get a vaccine. I don't think I should get it until, like any other New Yorker, I come to the right point in line.

But I will tell you something, that number you cite, that 27 percent, I think we're going to be able to improve upon that greatly. We have a command center we've set up to distribute the vaccine. We focused on equity because a lot of that distrust, a lot of that doubt is coming from communities of color that bore the brunt of COVID that have real concerns of, you know, distrust the government to begin with.

We're going to show them every day, very transparently, that communities are getting their fair share of the vaccine, that it works, community leaders, clergy coming forward to get the vaccine. We're going to encourage that trust.

And I think with every passing week, people are going to see people in their lives get it and they are going to see they're safe and I think people will going to end up being a lot more willing to do it.

BLITZER: Yes, I'm certainly ready to do it.

Despite all the very encouraging news about the vaccines, you are warning New Yorkers about another shutdown that potentially could be coming for New York City, but you say that should happen after Christmas.

Numbers are already going, as we all know, in the wrong direction, so why wait until after people gather to celebrate the holidays, Christmas, New Year's, Quanza? Folks are celebrating Hanukkah right now. Why not do it now?

DE BLASIO: Wolf, I think there's certainly an argument for that. Look, the state of New York makes this decision. I had the conversation several times with Governor Cuomo. He is going to make the ultimate decision. But what I would say is we've seen the numbers go up. We are concerned about our hospitals, protecting the ability of hospitals to serve people. Clearly, we are going to need a pause. We're going to need a shutdown. And I think the sooner the better.

I suggested, Christmas as sort of an obvious point. When the shopping is over and, you know, a lot of things are closed down at that point anyway, it's a very good time to, you know, stop activity. But, if it was something the state wanted to do even sooner, I would certainly support that as well.

BLITZER: How long you think a shutdown might be necessary?

DE BLASIO: What our health folks always say is it takes between two and four weeks to really see the effects of any kind of restrictions. So, the sooner we start, you know, the sooner we will reap the benefit. But I think that's the right way to think about it. Somewhere between two weeks and a month is typically when you can have an impact and knock down the infection rate substantially.

BLITZER: Yes, you guys had earlier in the year, a lot of experience, bad experience with this, so you've learned a lot. What about schools? How does it affect kids going back to school?

DE BLASIO: Look, the schools have been amazing, Wolf, and I credit our parents, educators, staff, our health care folks. Our schools in New York City are really the safest places to be in all of New York City right now.

[18:45:01]

Incredibly low level of infection, testing every week, constant cleaning, social distancing, mask wearing. The healthiness, the safety of the school system has been one of the bright spots during this crisis.

So, I want to see them stay open. Obviously, we have to be sure that we can keep them safe and the kids and the staff and everyone in them.

So, right now, I think the key point is, continuing to test every single week. Make sure our schools are safe. That's how we should make the judgment.

BLITZER: Yeah, you guys got a lot going on. Not just you, mayors all over the country. This is not just one hot zone here or there. It's all over the country right now, even in the face of the encouraging word about these vaccines.

Mayor De Blasio, good luck to you. Thanks so much for joining us.

DE BLASIO: Thank you, Wolf. Take care now.

BLITZER: Good luck to everyone in New York as well.

Just ahead, as the coronavirus vaccine is distributed nationwide, we'll take a closer look at when ordinary Americans can expect to be vaccinated.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:50:37]

BLITZER: As health care workers and the most vulnerable receive the first vaccinations, many Americans are asking when the vaccine will be available for them.

CNN's Brian Todd is looking into this for us.

Brian, what are you finding out?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, some of these time frames are coming a little bit more into focus but they're still not exact. Tonight, we do have more information on when many of us can walk into the local pharmacy and get the vaccine and what that process will be like.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (voice-over): A quick injection and a round of applause at a Jackson Health System facility in Miami. Doctors and nurses there getting the first coronavirus vaccine shots.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did that hurt at all?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I didn't feel it at all.

TODD: For the rest of us, there could still be some months to go before that moment comes.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES: By my calculation, sometime by the end of March, the beginning of April, that the normal healthy man and woman on the street who has no underlying conditions would likely get it.

TODD: Dr. Anthony Fauci telling MSNBC, that will be after front-line healthcare workers, nursing home residents and staffers and other essential personnel get the vaccine. Many of us could be able to go to our pharmacy and get it.

Dr. Fauci says the timing depends on the efficiency of the rollout. Other top experts push the time line for when we can start to get the vaccines at our local pharmacies.

ADM. BRETT GIROIR, MD, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, HHS: By May or June, everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get a vaccine.

TODD: Officials from CVS and Walgreens told CNBC that early to mid- spring is when many of us could be able to actually walk into their stores for a vaccine. Other chains like Costco, Walmart, Rite-Aid, Kroger, and Publix say they'll most likely offer the vaccines as well.

What will the process be like for the rest of us?

CVS officials say they want to us to think of it like booking a round trip plane ticket.

JONATHAN ROBERTS, EVP AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CVS HEALTH: There's not going to be lines because everyone will be by appointment. There's a lot of follow up to ensure they get the second dose up to and including a phone call if they missed that appointment, and we'll be able to do 25 million vaccines a month.

TODD: Experts who say people who have severe allergic reactions to any component in the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine will be asked to not get it.

For others with less severe allergies to food products like peanuts or eggs, and for the rest of us --

DR. BARTON HAYNES, DIRECTOR, DUKE HUMAN VACCINE INSTITUTE: Anyone else that has a history of allergies, such as food allergies and the like are not related to injected material can go ahead and take the vaccine but will have to be observed for 30 minutes after the immunization. If you don't have a history of allergies, then there will be a shorter time of observation.

TODD: Once we started going en masse to get vaccinated at a local outlets, what about a timetable for returning to normal? Dr. Fauci says if America can get at least 75 percent of its population vaccinated --

FAUCI: As we get into the fall, we can get real comfort about people being in schools, safe in school, be they K-12 or college.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD (on camera): Now as for which sectors can get back to normal in which order, one top vaccine expert told us he believes that we'll start to see children being allowed back in schools first and possibly larger crowds being allowed back into restaurants, and then much later, sporting events and bars -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Much later.

All right. Brian, not everyone though might live near a CVS, or a Walgreens, or a pharmacy, where they're giving these vaccines. How can people specifically in rural areas, there's a lot of folks watching us right now in rural areas, how can they get access to a vaccine?

TODD: That's a good question, Wolf, and Dr. Paul Offit, the vaccine expert who you had on earlier and we talked to today as well, said he's a little bit worried about that. He said a lot of these people in rural areas of the country don't necessarily have access to a CVS or a Walgreens right near them. They're going to have to probably drive a fair amount to get to one of those places.

They just got to kind of keep tabs on it and, you know, check with their local -- the closest one to them. But he is worried about people in rural areas being able to get to, you know, Walgreens, CVS, possibly Walmart to get their shot maybe by the spring. They might have to wait longer.

BLITZER: Yeah, Brian Todd reporting for us. Brian, thanks, as usual.

And we'll have more news right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:59:15]

BLITZER: Finally, tonight, as we try to do every night here in THE SITUATION ROOM, we honor more of the wonderful people we lost to coronavirus.

Dolores Gordon of Florida was 89 years old. She was a loving mother of four, with more than 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her son Michael says she had a beautiful singing voice performing at family events, local shows and at the USO.

Sarah "Sally" Bielen was 98. Her daughter Bonnie says she was a strong woman, stubborn at times, full of energy, staying busy raising her children and volunteering when she was younger. More recently she remained active singing in a choir and attending yoga and Zumba classes.

May they rest in peace and may their memories be a blessing.

Thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM.

You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @WolfBlitzer and tweet the show @CNNSitRoom.

"ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT" starts right now.